Griffith, Indiana — Mohammad Amara, 28, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, federal prosecutors announced today. The sentence, handed down by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody, marks the latest chapter in a criminal pattern that stretches back years.
On March 20, 2018, Amara was arrested in Griffith while actively planning a home invasion robbery. Court documents reveal he was carrying a backpack loaded with latex gloves, a hoodie, and additional clothing intended to disguise him during the crime. Inside the pack: a loaded firearm, the possession of which triggered the federal charge due to his prior record.
At the time of his arrest, Amara was on parole for a previous robbery conviction — a fact that underscores the persistent threat he posed to public safety. The Hammond native has amassed six prior felony convictions, including multiple thefts, controlled substance possession, forgery, and a prior robbery. Each offense adds weight to a pattern of violent and calculated criminal behavior.
“This wasn’t a random lapse in judgment — this was a man preparing to invade a home, armed and disguised,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch. “His criminal history shows a repeat offender who continues to choose crime over lawful living. Eighty-four months is a serious sentence, but it reflects the seriousness of the threat he posed.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation into Amara’s activities, zeroing in on his movements and intent before the planned robbery could be carried out. Federal agents emphasized that swift action prevented what could have been a violent home invasion with unpredictable consequences.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla prosecuted the case, building on forensic and surveillance evidence to secure the guilty plea. With his sentence now in place, Amara will serve seven years in federal custody, followed by supervised release. Authorities warn that repeat offenders like Amara remain a focal point of federal enforcement efforts in Northwest Indiana.
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